Worth it for a first Seattle visit or a clear-day panorama: the Space Needle delivers the city’s signature view, open-air deck and rotating glass floor. Book only when the forecast or live webcam supports the view you want, especially if paying for a sunset slot.
Book a timed slot directly
Buy General Admission on the official Space Needle site once your itinerary is firm—adult prices vary by date and time (US$35–$55), and sunset, weekends and clear summer days can sell out.
MoreArrive exactly at your slot
Use the north-side main entrance opposite the Monorail station at your assigned time; security and the history exhibit mean the trip from entrance to the top normally takes about 30 minutes.
MoreCheck the webcam before committing
Fog, low cloud, haze and wildfire smoke can erase the mountain-and-water panorama, so choose a clear morning for distant peaks or reserve sunset early for daylight-to-city-lights views.
MoreAllow up to two hours
Plan 75–120 minutes door to exit, particularly for sunset, photography, families or drinks, since you may remain on the observation and Loupe levels until closing.
More520-foot Observation Level
Included with timed Space Needle admission; indoor and open-air viewing levels.
The Loupe
Included with timed Space Needle admission; revolving glass-floor level 500 feet above ground.
The Space Needle is Seattle’s 605-foot, three-legged Space Age observation tower at 400 Broad Street, built as the cultural centerpiece of the 1962 Century 21 World’s Fair. Its visitor experience occupies the upper “top house”: a 520-foot indoor/outdoor observation level and The Loupe, a revolving glass floor 500 feet above the ground. A 2017–18 renovation added floor-to-ceiling glass and the glass-floor experience while preserving the tower’s distinctive saucer-topped silhouette.
It is Seattle’s signature skyline experience, offering broad orientation over downtown, Elliott Bay/Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and the Olympics when visibility is clear, plus an unusual open-air deck and rotating glass floor. It is especially worthwhile for first-time visitors, families, architecture fans, and anyone wanting the classic Seattle panorama. Skip or defer it if visibility is poor, your budget or time is tight, or you strongly dislike heights or crowds.
Before you go
Yes. Buy a timed-entry ticket on the official Space Needle plan-your-visit page as soon as your itinerary is firm, especially for clear-weather days, sunsets, Fridays, Saturdays, holidays, and summer. Same-day kiosk and box-office tickets are available only if capacity remains; do not rely on them for a sunset visit.
Tickets are sold in 15-minute arrival windows, with a five-minute arrival slot assigned within that window. Arrive at the north-side public entrance at your printed time. If you are more than five minutes early or late, staff must place you in the next available slot, which may not be immediate.
For most visitors, buy General Admission. Choose the US$74 Chihuly Garden & Glass + IMAX Combo only if you want those additional same-day visits. The US$129 Fast Pass Combo has inclusions not clearly described in the public listing, so open the official checkout and confirm exactly what it includes before paying. If you are visiting several major Seattle attractions, compare Seattle CityPASS (US$139 adult; includes a Space Needle Day/Night Pass) and Seattle C3 (US$108 adult; one Space Needle visit among three attractions).
Seattle CityPASS includes a Space Needle Day/Night Pass: one daytime visit and one nighttime visit within 24 hours. You still must reserve a Space Needle time. Seattle C3 includes only one Space Needle admission, not the Day/Night Pass. Source: https://www.citypass.com/seattle
First, check earlier or later times the same day and then nearby dates on the official booking calendar. If you already hold CityPASS or C3, use the official Space Needle pass reservation exchange rather than assuming a reseller has extra inventory. Only try the on-site box office if you can accept a wait or missing the visit. Check the live webcam before buying a same-day alternative if mountain views matter.